AudioNervosa

The Market => Manufacturer News => Topic started by: P.I. on July 18, 2018, 11:02:46 AM

Title: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: P.I. on July 18, 2018, 11:02:46 AM
The following is the experiences of a customer of mine that is on a Tonequest.  Here are excerpts from a series of emails concerning his experiences with Furutech GTX NCF, GTX(G) aand one of my modified Pass & Seymour 5362A receptacles.  The P&S is cryogenicallt treated and loaded internall with a noise reduction compound that I have been working on over the last couple of years getting the formula where it is today.

Kinda long, but you can see that we all suffer from the same Audiophilia Nervosa.  Enjoy:

************************************************************************************
Gold came in Saturday morning. Put it in Furman with P&S. Running turntable out board power supply and SS phono pre on gold 24/7. Only time for one album before I left, it sounded big but everything stepping on each other with fair transparency. Ran it 12 hours then listened late last night, it cleaned up a fair bit. Listing to it now, it smoothed out some from last night, kind of shocked how easy gold is breaking in,( 5 day cook on high) its enjoyable to listed to. This no NCF type break in, that was insane. I did flip outlets to P&S twice tonight. P&S follows the NCF flavor, transparent and faster than gold. Gold has more soul, slower and cloudy, with NCF flavor still in the mix, glad that wasn't lost, at least not yet. Both sound better than furman stock hospital grade outlets, which sound darker. I will let you know when yours arrive safe and installed.

*******************
Hey Dave, swung by house to grab something this morning, checked mail box it was here, installed it before I left. Had to listen one song before I took off. This is dead cold tubes. First 10 seconds instruments locked in there space, no swinging stage like it's been doing, music sounded horrible, cold tubes. I know it sounds crazy but I know my system. Left everything on. The NCF transformed my system to something it never could do before, being so transparent , but felt it was slightly artificial and didn't truly enjoy listening to music since I bought it, but didn't want to pull it and lose all the new information, just try to fix the problem, crazy hobby. I listened to 3 albums tonight, don't understand why your and gold outlets sound fairly broken in, both are listenable. I told myself I would be honest if your outlet did not best gold, but in a nice way. Your outlet tonight had instruments solid in there spot, it sounded big but controlled, toms were tuneful, you could hear the pitch the drummer was going for when he tuned his drum. The gold catches the nice warm tone of the drum but didn't capture the note or true natural pitch of a good quality drum like yours did, if that makes sense. Im just guessing here, if your outlet was neutral I would still have NCF shouting at me on some recordings passing through your outlet. That not the case, your outlet is super transparent just like NCF but very natural, not hi if sounding like NCF. Maybe yours is slight warm side of neutral. After listening to your outlet I realize with gold I am losing detail, but it's probably to early to determine and didn't want to switch to gold things were sounding to good. I can't help but wonder what your outlet would sound like in the wall going up against NCF. Is NCF making your outlet do this or can your outlet do this on its own (NCF couldn't fix stage yours did). Whatever is going on your outlet made me want to keep listening to music again tonight. I didn't think I would notice this first night. I'll give it 4  or 5 days and check back in...

********************
(I) spent some time this weekend with your outlet. I find the gold broke in a fair amount and yours can't tell if it changed much, maybe a little smoother. I prefer yours to the gold. I find it has a way to make instruments jump out of speakers and startle me a times, which makes things fun. In my system it's a perfect match with NCF. Very detailed, no recessed information like gold. I find it's fast, detailed, smooth and musical which is hard thing to balance in any one component or outlet. With digital on most recordings I prefer yours. Both outlets are enjoyable with cd but different.  With vinyl your outlet is the only way to go with my set up, no question about it. Maybe gold needs more time. I'm still running both 24/7. What does ping pang mean, I sure appreciate you sending me your outlet, I will give them more time and report back...

[ping / pang is the difference of SQ that nylon tips vs. all wood drumsticks mye while striking a ride cymbal]

********************
Your outlet is special, big bass and passes NCF highs which are special on there own with absolutely no loss of anything, none, zero, that's what makes it special, everything is still musical since install, fixed my 3 month problem with NCF...

********************
I played your outlet last night playing a Kebo cd for back ground music. Just got home turned on system for back ground music to do paper work same Kebo cd was in drawer, this thing has changed over night. Noise floor dropped, today highs are the best this system has ever produced, metal things a crunching, you can hear the peaks a valleys of the metal rubbing up against each other, it's also going lower with a beautiful tone, I'm a tone junkie, I have a Martin D28 and evertime I walk by it I have to hit the big E string just to hear it...

********************

And so it goes.  This is during the last 10 days.  There is still a bit of juicy goodness to come, but it is mostly "there".  The last change is the settling in of the goo.  It takes about 10 days to get ... uhm... aligned - for the want of a better word.  Characteristics of the materials involved.

The receptacle is the P.I. P&S 5362A Mod C  Price is $80.00 each with shipping of $8.00 that covers up to 4 receptacles

My thanks to P. C. for being a great reviewer of my insanity   :thumb:
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Nick B on July 18, 2018, 11:09:04 AM
I think I have these P & S receptacles iirc. Excellent sounding, big bang for the buck which I always appreciate 👍
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: richidoo on July 18, 2018, 01:37:16 PM
I see 5362I, but I can't find any reference to P&S 5362A on the web. Is that a P.I. part number?
I wanted to see how it's made, internal details, etc.
Thanks
Rich

Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: P.I. on July 18, 2018, 07:46:19 PM
I think I have these P & S receptacles iirc. Excellent sounding, big bang for the buck which I always appreciate 👍
Nick, nope. You have the hand polished, but without the goo.  I wasn’t quite done with development when you bought your Uber.  The Mod receptacle is a VERY different animal from the polished, cryoed receptacles that you have.  Gotta have something in the pouch, you know   8)
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: P.I. on July 18, 2018, 08:10:04 PM
I see 5362I, but I can't find any reference to P&S 5362A on the web. Is that a P.I. part number?
I wanted to see how it's made, internal details, etc.
Thanks
Rich
Rich, here you go: 

https://www.legrand.us/passandseymour/receptacles/fed-spec-grade/ehd-industrial-grade/5362abk.aspx

If you check the specs against most other receptacles a couple of things jump out:

.036” contacts vs. .031” in most others
The alloy is different with a higher copper content
#10 fixing screws (brass) instead of steel
I remove the drive screws (steel) and replace them with brass.  This yields a non magnetic receptacle.

It is, simply, the best sounding commercially available stock NEMA receptacle that I have found.  I tried about 15 different ones searching for the best mate to the Uber.  P&S were the best sounding to my ears and a half a dozen other of my beta testers, hands down.  This was after crypto treatment.  It smoothed out and reduced the break in time of the receptacles.
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: P.I. on July 18, 2018, 08:14:59 PM
I see 5362I, but I can't find any reference to P&S 5362A on the web. Is that a P.I. part number?
I wanted to see how it's made, internal details, etc.
Thanks
Rich
Whoops...

I’ll be happy to disassemble several different receptacles and post gut shots of them if you wish.  I have a few here that I can do this to.  Really enlightening.  Very little symmetry.........
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Nick B on July 18, 2018, 09:08:09 PM
I think I have these P & S receptacles iirc. Excellent sounding, big bang for the buck which I always appreciate 👍
Nick, nope. You have the hand polished, but without the goo.  I wasn’t quite done with development when you bought your Uber.  The Mod receptacle is a VERY different animal from the polished, cryoed receptacles that you have.  Gotta have something in the pouch, you know   8)

Hmmm....so I don’t have the latest and the greatest?! I’ll be curious what the differences are!
Nick
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: richidoo on July 19, 2018, 07:24:09 AM
Thanks for the info Dave
PM sent
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Folsom on July 19, 2018, 03:53:22 PM
Damnit, now you've peaked some of my interest, too. Frankly what I hate about sockets is the design is not good for the projecting fields. That's why packing them or using NCF material does something.

Did you ever compare Hubbell receptacles? I like their construction a lot, but haven't ear-checked them compared to P&S. I often order at the mercy of eBay to get $5 high grade ones.

My wall socket is a Furutech rhodium over pure copper. Does it sound different? Hell ya. But I'm not overally drawn to it by comparison. To be frank I'm slightly scared about why they sound different from plating to plating. I suspect gold may be more honest than Rhodium.
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: rollo on July 20, 2018, 07:49:26 AM
Dave sent me a sample awhile back. I prefer the P&S with Daves work to ANY Furutech outlet. The Rhodium is just hard and over detailed, the Gold colored warm and the Copper bright.
The only reservation I have about the review is break in time. The Furutechs require 250 hours to stop changing. Also compared Dave's to Vodoo  brand Outlets, one all Copper, one Gold over Copper.
Dave's is just neutral meaning it just gets out of the way. Adds nothing subtracts nothing. At $80 each IMHO a no-brainer. BTW they grip like a German Shepard, TIGHT !! Get out that checkbook guys you will be glad you did.

charles
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: P.I. on July 20, 2018, 10:25:48 AM
Damnit, now you've peaked some of my interest, too. Frankly what I hate about sockets is the design is not good for the projecting fields. That's why packing them or using NCF material does something.

Did you ever compare Hubbell receptacles? I like their construction a lot, but haven't ear-checked them compared to P&S. I often order at the mercy of eBay to get $5 high grade ones.

My wall socket is a Furutech rhodium over pure copper. Does it sound different? Hell ya. But I'm not overally drawn to it by comparison. To be frank I'm slightly scared about why they sound different from plating to plating. I suspect gold may be more honest than Rhodium.
Howdy, Jeremy.

During the Uber saga I have tried every receptacle I could find for use in the Uber.  Early on I used the P&S 5362 Spec Grade...,the standard one with the .031" contacts and a different brass alloy.  It was better than the others that I tried. Music had more "flow".  [Man, I hate "audiophool" descriptions, but...]  I kept trying receptacles frome Leviton, Hubbell, Eagle, Cooper, etc.  I tried 8200, 8300 - everything.  The P&S 5362A stood out as a better and (important to me) more consistent performer.  I settled on it as standard fare about 2-1/2 years ago.  I started modifying them last year.  Removing the assembly pins and replacing them with brass screws make an all brass / no steel receptacle.  The high copper .036 contacts grip like a pit bull.  I remembered back to seeing electron microscope pictures of identical alloy unpolished vs. polished contacts.  Unpolished looked like a miniature lightning storm (RFI generating) and polished more of a purple glow indicative of ion migration.  Polishing is a no brainer and is great for all applications.  That is why all of my Wattgate equipped power cables had polished contacts.

When Furutech came out with the NCF receptacles it got me thinking about local RFI mitigation and I started on my current (pun?) quest.  The goo I came up with is exceptional at RFI absorption and also acts as a mass damper.

I have a GTX NCF in the wall.  It is a great receptacle, but is prone to occasional fits.  If the system isn't used for a while it seems to "back up in SQ a tad and another mini-breakin occurs, pisses me off.  Getting ready to take it out, methinks.

I have come to realize that unplated contacts are the ones that I prefer.  Here's why:

Nickel - hard and harsh

Gold - warm, round and too soft in a neutral system

Beryllium copper,- forward in the upper meds... kind of an inverse BBC dip

Silver - bright-ish

Rhodium - the manic depressive, paranoid schizophrenic of all platings.  It CAN sound great in a system that tends to darkness, but is a PITA getting where "there" is.

High copper alloys are the best choice for me - when treated properly.

All of these observations are my (old) ears, my system in my home.

YMMV, but probably not much.
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Folsom on July 20, 2018, 12:05:44 PM
The A model is harder to find.

These are all good notes. Is there an isolated ground version of the A that works like you describe? Could you make your formula into an isolated ground 5362A?
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: P.I. on July 20, 2018, 04:18:02 PM
The A model is harder to find.

These are all good notes. Is there an isolated ground version of the A that works like you describe? Could you make your formula into an isolated ground 5362A?
Not into a PASS & SEYMOUR.  They just don't make that receptacle.  If you want that done to another manufacturer contact me and I will make it so.
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: P.I. on July 24, 2018, 08:21:50 PM
Another and I think at least semi-final update on the new ModC 5362A receptacle from my reviewer.  A few words about him. He is not, to date, a P.I.audio group client.  Hecame to me out of the blue when I was wanting someone to evaluate what I thinkis a very good product.  All of a sudden he shows up in my inbox like a gift from God. Who knew?

Anyway, the man is well versed in audio and more importantly in what is musical.  I am so thankful for his input.

Here is his last email:

******************************
Dave, let (Furutech) gold and your outlet run in since last email. Saturday makes 2 weeks on both outlets. I think both outlets are fairly broken in now. So I flipped between gold and yours a few times on same Keb Mo cd, it was still in player. Gold became more transparent but not up to your outlets degree. With 2 weeks noise floor and better pin point image improved with yours. Gold is slightly fuller but blurred. Bass on yours is much tighter and true. My cd player will stay plugged into yours from now on. Spent a lot of time listening to vinyl after 2 week break in, jazz, folk, blues, classical, results follow same attributes as cd but with a bigger gap of improvement flipping between gold and yours. Instruments are bigger, taller and placed further from center of stage and beyond speaker boundaries with yours. If I had to describe gold it would be big, round, colored with slight rolled off highs and can sometimes get boring after a while. To describe yours would have to say big, sound stage became deeper, fills the room with a natural balance of bass. Very low noise floor, airy highs, super transparent without ever becoming fatigued, even listening for hour after hour late in the night. Its just enjoyable to listen to! It's very close to neutral which is what I prefer, if I want to alter sound I can do that with cables or tubes not an outlet that is so far back in the chain. May sound crazy but I find just as much or more of an improvement changing out outlets than rolling top notch NOS tubes, phono stage will stay plugged into yours full time, I think this outlet would fit any system, tube, solid state, warm, neutral or tipped up, it does nothing wrong...

************************* I'll settle for this.

Thank you, Paul!!!   :thumb:
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: mikeeastman on August 12, 2018, 04:54:58 PM
Well I don’t know what kind of Voodoo Dave works up in his workshop, but he work up some very good stuff with his modded receptacle. It pretty much took my system up a couple of notches in all areas, so rather than go into all that detail I'll just give more details about the two things I care about the most.

 First is detail, I’m more than a little obsessive about it and this receptacle took it up to anew level really bring out those very subtle details.

The second is the ability of a system to make the music reach out and grab hold of you and just suck you in and it  took my system up a few notches in that area also.

The only problem I had with the receptacle was, I have # 8 wire running to my dedicated circuits and fitting it in wasn’t pretty, so I ordered some Furtuech gold plated copper spades, now it’s very pretty.

I have 175 hrs of burn in, don’t know if it will improve with more.

Check your in box Dave I need another one for my other circuit .
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: P.I. on August 13, 2018, 11:14:10 AM
More on the continuing review by Paul:

"Hey Dave, It's now been almost a month and a half spending time with Furutech gold and yours. I tried to listen to gold for a week or more since last email, but it just leaves me listening to my system and not music. Maybe if I had not heard your outlet I would feel different and wouldn't know what was missing or added, I really tried to make myself like gold. Gold is a very good outlet compared to stock orange (one). Furman outlet is not balanced like yours. Yours clears up haze, it's a clear balanced picture and leaves me not wanting anything, everything is there and my mind relaxes. Sometimes I feel a little crazy writing an outlet can do this but I can't deny what I hear. It's just a very musical, low noise floor, transparent item that solved a problem in my system! Thank you so much for sending me your new outlet, Paul"

Thanks for the thorough review, Paul!   :thumb:
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: rollo on August 13, 2018, 12:05:28 PM
  We should add to that the most important fact. NO COLORATION what so ever. Solid clean weighty sound. Everyone here needs at least one at wall. Next in your conditioner an Uber I imagine. BTW I have the previous issue not even the better one. WARNING !!!!! Needs mucho break in 200 hours. Was wondering how many Ribs and Lbs of Brisket I can eat while waiting for break in. Bring the beer.

charles
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: P.I. on August 16, 2018, 11:59:46 AM
Here it is.  Like most of my other parts and pieces it ain't purdy.  I prefer to spend my time and my customers' money on the inside.

Introductory pricing is $80.00 ea + $7.20 shipping for up to 4 receptacles.
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: rollo on September 24, 2018, 01:28:50 PM
  OK now I rub some of Daves secret sauce on the contacts of the plugs and IEC cord and component. Tighter, more focused and more meat on the bone. Very nice improvement to what I thought could not possibly get better.
  Graphene sauce. No meatballs included, just some applicator brushes and " the sauce".


charles
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: P.I. on October 01, 2018, 01:01:24 PM
  OK now I rub some of Daves secret sauce on the contacts of the plugs and IEC cord and component. Tighter, more focused and more meat on the bone. Very nice improvement to what I thought could not possibly get better.
  Graphene sauce. No meatballs included, just some applicator brushes and " the sauce".


charles
Eric Hider and I were alking about just how much data is on media that we just can't seem to extract.  Clean contacts are an absolute must.  Just how many dirty windows do we want to try to look through to see the performance?  Contacts are the easy ones to get to. Changing out receptacles is easy except for those that are just not adept at all when it comes to the weekend warrior aspect of homw ownership.

Getting power clean is essential.  Along with this goes the necessity of polished contacts being essential.  Then getting the conductors as microscopically clean and ready for work is high up on my list.

These receptacles are the finest OEM versions of the 20A NEMA spec I could find for sonics with the BUSSes.  Curious as always about optimization of the core device  [ you remember "POOGE" -  Progressive Optimization Of Othewise Generic Equipment ] I started playing with the receptacle and found tat it is a great platform for optimization.  It has very thick contacts of High Conductivity High Brass in a very beefy case.  It is also pretty easy to get apart.  Here is what goes into that receptacle as delivered as a P.I audio group 5362A-Mod G

Receptacle is disassembled
Ultrasonically cleaned organic solvent
Inspected for defects after cleaning
Contacts spread for wheel access
2 step buffing and polishing process
Inspection for defects in materials processing.
30-40% % cull
Polishing process one more time
One more ultrasonic cleaning and organic cleaning process.

Fun, huh?

<><

D

Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: P.I. on October 01, 2018, 01:02:45 PM
  OK now I rub some of Daves secret sauce on the contacts of the plugs and IEC cord and component. Tighter, more focused and more meat on the bone. Very nice improvement to what I thought could not possibly get better.
  Graphene sauce. No meatballs included, just some applicator brushes and " the sauce".


charles

Itsa a PITA...
Eric Hider and I were alking about just how much data is on media that we just can't seem to extract.  Clean contacts are an absolute must.  Just how many dirty windows do we want to try to look through to see the performance?  Contacts are the easy ones to get to. Changing out receptacles is easy except for those that are just not adept at all when it comes to the weekend warrior aspect of homw ownership.

Getting power clean is essential.  Along with this goes the necessity of polished contacts being essential.  Then getting the conductors as microscopically clean and ready for work is high up on my list.

These receptacles are the finest OEM versions of the 20A NEMA spec I could find for sonics with the BUSSes.  Curious as always about optimization of the core device  [ you remember "POOGE" -  Progressive Optimization Of Othewise Generic Equipment ] I started playing with the receptacle and found tat it is a great platform for optimization.  It has very thick contacts of High Conductivity High Brass in a very beefy case.  It is also pretty easy to get apart.  Here is what goes into that receptacle as delivered as a P.I audio group 5362A-Mod G

Receptacle is disassembled
Ultrasonically cleaned organic solvent
Inspected for defects after cleaning
Contacts spread for wheel access
2 step buffing and polishing process
Inspection for defects in materials processing.
30-40% % cull
Polishing process one more time
One more ultrasonic cleaning and organic cleaning process.

Fun, huh?

<><

D
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Nick B on October 01, 2018, 05:20:14 PM
  OK now I rub some of Daves secret sauce on the contacts of the plugs and IEC cord and component. Tighter, more focused and more meat on the bone. Very nice improvement to what I thought could not possibly get better.
  Graphene sauce. No meatballs included, just some applicator brushes and " the sauce".


charles
Eric Hider and I were alking about just how much data is on media that we just can't seem to extract.  Clean contacts are an absolute must.  Just how many dirty windows do we want to try to look through to see the performance?  Contacts are the easy ones to get to. Changing out receptacles is easy except for those that are just not adept at all when it comes to the weekend warrior aspect of homw ownership.

Getting power clean is essential.  Along with this goes the necessity of polished contacts being essential.  Then getting the conductors as microscopically clean and ready for work is high up on my list.

These receptacles are the finest OEM versions of the 20A NEMA spec I could find for sonics with the BUSSes.  Curious as always about optimization of the core device  [ you remember "POOGE" -  Progressive Optimization Of Othewise Generic Equipment ] I started playing with the receptacle and found tat it is a great platform for optimization.  It has very thick contacts of High Conductivity High Brass in a very beefy case.  It is also pretty easy to get apart.  Here is what goes into that receptacle as delivered as a P.I audio group 5362A-Mod G

Receptacle is disassembled
Ultrasonically cleaned organic solvent
Inspected for defects after cleaning
Contacts spread for wheel access
2 step buffing and polishing process
Inspection for defects in materials processing.
30-40% % cull
Polishing process one more time
One more ultrasonic cleaning and organic cleaning process.

Fun, huh?

<><

D

I really like how you think, Dave. Start at the very beginning so you don’t have to try and clean up the noise that’s introduced there
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: P.I. on October 02, 2018, 12:12:25 PM

[/quote]I really like how you think, Dave. Start at the very beginning so you don’t have to try and clean up the noise that’s introduced there
[/quote]


As far as we are concerned power is what it is at the incoming access panel.  We can do what we can do to make things better at that point.  There is a lot that can be done.

I can't remember if I have posted this LOW EMF HOUSEHOLD WIRING FOR AUDIO APPLICATIONS article before here at AN, but it is a great place to start for dedicated home owners:

"                               Choosing Household Wiring for Low EMF
                                                by Andrew Eriksen
from left to right: ROMEX 12/2, ROMEX 12/3, EMT conduit, IMC conduit, MC 12/2
Modern buildings have electrical wiring in all walls, and often in ceilings and floors as well. As electricity runs through the cables to be consumed elsewhere, an electromagnetic field [EMF] is generated. This field surrounds the cable in its entire length and becomes weaker with increasing distance to the cable. Electromagnetic fields are bothersome to some individuals and can be measured by a gaussmeter.
When wiring a new building, or upgrading an existing building, it may be prudent to choose a type of cable that emits less EMF, but which one to choose?
To find out, a selection of cables and metal conduits were purchased. Only types that are widely available and in general use in the United States were chosen. The cables tested were:
 ROMEX 12/2 (2-conductor, AWG 12)
 ROMEX 12/3 (3-conductor, AWG 12)
 MC 12/2 (flexible metal-clad, 2-conductor, AWG 12)

2 Choosing Household Wiring The conduits tested were:
 EMT - lightweight steel conduit
 IMC - heavy steel conduit
The AWG 12 thickness of the wires were chosen, as they are used for household wiring carrying up to 20 amps.
A Wiring Primer
In the electrical trade, the grounding wire is always present in a cable and is not counted as a conductor. A “2-conductor cable” thus has three wires inside – a black one for the phase, a white for the neutral, and a bare copper wire for the ground. In some cases, the ground wire is green instead of bare.
A 3-conductor cable has one additional wire, which is usually red. This type of cable is commonly used for bringing two-phase (230 volt) electricity to electrical stoves, clothes dryers and water heaters. It can also be used for lighting circuits with two switches, such as in each end of a hallway.
Test setup
A combination of cables and metal conduit were tested under identical conditions. To provide a test load, a 1380 watt space heater of brand Intertherm (now SoftHeat) was placed approximately 20 feet away.
The metal conduits tested were sold in 10-foot sections, but we used six-foot samples due to transportation restrictions. The measurements were done at the middle of the conduit. In all tests, the ground wire in the cable was connected to the ground in the wall outlet, as it normally would be.
The ROMEX 3-conductor cable tested was used without connecting the extra wire to anything. It was not tested whether connecting it to the ground would be helpful. Doing so would violate the National Electric Code, which is very specific about the color codes, and forbids running wires in parallel.
To limit outside interference with the test, a specially shielded outlet was used, while the breakers were off to all the other outlets within twenty feet. The outlet used had regular wiring inside EMT metal conduit, which went all the way back to the breaker box.
The EMF levels were measured by a gaussmeter of the TriField brand, produced by Alpha Labs in Utah. The TriField meter was outfitted with the optional external
Choosing Household Wiring 3 probe that makes it one hundred times more sensitive and able to pick up EMF
down to 0.01 milligauss.
The 120 volt AC power in the building did have some overlying static (“dirty power”) which could be picked up with an AM radio. This static was present whether any current was running or not. It appeared to come from the outside of the building and this was deemed not to be a problem for this comparison.
Results
The results from the gaussmeter readings are shown in Table 1. It is clear that the 3-conductor ROMEX wire (ROMEX 12/3) is vastly superior to the 2-conductor (ROMEX 12/2). This is due to the fact that the individual wires inside the cable happen to be twisted around each other. This effect is used in wires for computer networks and long telephone cables, so it was not a surprise that it also worked well here.
What was surprising was that the ROMEX 12/3 cable also is superior to the other cable combinations tried, i.e. the flexible metal-clad cable (MC 21/2) and when the ROMEX 12/2 was put in metal conduit and even when put in the heavy duty IMC conduit.
When the ROMEX 12/3 cable was further shielded by EMT conduit, the radiation level become so low that it only measured 0.4 milligauss directly on the surface of the conduit.
Table 1: Distance in inches from cable for specific EMF levels
1 milligauss (0.1 microtesla)
0.2 milligauss (0.02 microtesla)
0.01 milligauss (1 nanotesla)
ROMEX 12/2
10.5
18.5
37
ROMEX 12/2 in EMT
3
6.5
25
ROMEX 12/2 in IMC
2
5
15
ROMEX 12/3
0.6
1.7
3.3
ROMEX 12/3 in EMT
--
0.7
2
MC 12/2
1.5
2.3
3.7
Conclusion
If wanting to wire a house for lower EMF levels, using the 3-conductor twisted ROMEX 12/3 (or any other suitable AWG size) is clearly a good choice. It is about ten times as good as the standard 2-conductor ROMEX wiring.
4 Choosing Household Wiring
The extra cost of using a 3-conductor cable is minor; it just costs somewhat more due to having more copper in it. The price was very close to the cost of the metal- clad MC cable, and much cheaper than using the rigid metal conduits (EMT and IMC) as they are much more labor intensive to install.
It is only when combining the 3-conductor cable with a metallic conduit that even better results are possible. Whether going this route is cost-justifiable must depend on the project; in most cases it probably is not.
Putting the 3-conductor cable in metal conduit may be a violation of the National Electric Code, NEC, even if one wire is never used (the reason is that the extra wire could later carry more power, which could generate more heat, which is the basis for the NEC). Discuss the project with the local building inspector.
An alternative to using the 3-conductor cable is to convert a 2-conductor cable by twisting it. This would be a little cheaper and should not cause any potential issues with the building inspector.
The tested 3- conductor ROMEX cable did a full turn of the wires inside it for every four inches (10 centimeters) of running cable. This twist could be duplicated by hand – perhaps by using a variable-speed (low speed) power drill with a bent nail in the chuck to hold the cable. A non-electric set up should also be possible.
Twisting the cable more than once per four inches may improve the shielding effect. The author has not tested these possibilities.
A Comment for the Chemically Sensitive
Some manufacturers of ROMEX type cables add a slippery coating on the surface of the cables. This coating makes it easier to pull the cable through a conduit, but it can be bothersome to sensitive individuals. The author tried to leave a sample in the desert sun for one month, but it was still bothersome.
Cables made by Southwire have this coating, which is called SIMpull. Another manufacturer, Encore, does not use such a substance. If the local building supply store only stocks ROMEX with this coating, try an electrical supply store."

Thank you Andrew Erickson for a great article on "sound" advice.
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Nick B on October 02, 2018, 03:27:31 PM
Thanks for posting, Dave. When I was much younger, it seemed common to put wire into metal conduit. Then it was the simplicity of drilling holes through wood and easily routing the Romex wire that way. I disliked Romex as I’ve, on a couple of occasions, drilled into it and shorted the wires. When I ask contractors about using metal conduit, I usually get a blank stare or a shrug of the shoulders. Were i to build another house, I’d insist on it...assuming the building code allowed it.
As to having an extra wire, I had never heard of possible building code issues or the potential to generate more heat.
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: tmazz on October 02, 2018, 04:55:52 PM
I doubt there is anything in the NEC banning the use of 3 conductor cable inside of a metal conduit. In the ice rink that I work at the compressors each pull 100amps of 408v 3 Phase and that is run inside of metal pipe. What I think may be the case is that you cannot run 3 conductor 12 ga wire in the same size pipe that you would use for 2 conductor wire. You may just need to step up to a bigger pipe.

But I agree, it is always good to check with the local building department before undertaking a job like that. While local rules cannot be laxer than the NEC they are quite often stricter.
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: P.I. on April 28, 2019, 06:39:04 PM
Just had an epiphany about this receptacle is loaded with because I keep getting question about what can possibly be responsible for the ‘not’ small improvement in SQ.

In keeping with my weirdness and nodding to the flat earthers I have decided to name the material Interstellar Floobie Dust.

Anand (Posiedon’s Voice) has named this receptacle the Uber Puerto.  So, let the haters begin:

The Uber Puerto is loaded with Interstellar Floobie Dust for improved SQ.  I can only imagine posters on some “other” forums talking about them  :o

Let the mirth and frivolity begin!
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: jimbones on April 29, 2019, 11:51:43 AM
I doubt there is anything in the NEC banning the use of 3 conductor cable inside of a metal conduit. In the ice rink that I work at the compressors each pull 100amps of 408v 3 Phase and that is run inside of metal pipe. What I think may be the case is that you cannot run 3 conductor 12 ga wire in the same size pipe that you would use for 2 conductor wire. You may just need to step up to a bigger pipe.

But I agree, it is always good to check with the local building department before undertaking a job like that. While local rules cannot be laxer than the NEC they are quite often stricter.

we call that cable fill. It must be less than 50%.
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Nick B on October 03, 2019, 07:11:14 PM
I’ve had the P & S receptacle from Dave for a long time and just had it installed a few days ago. The receptacle feeds the Uber and all the audio gear is plugged into the Uber. The P & S provided a very nice improvement. I was surprised, but I shouldn’t have been knowing Dave worked his magic on it. First of all, the noise floor is lower and provides more detail. The timbre of the instruments is more natural. The glare of violins, trumpets and female vocals is reduced on recordings (I’ll discuss this in an other post)
This is a very good and inexpensive upgrade and I heartily recommend it!!
Nick
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: P.I. on October 04, 2019, 02:15:16 PM
I’ve had the P & S receptacle from Dave for a long time and just had it installed a few days ago. The receptacle feeds the Uber and all the audio gear is plugged into the Uber. The P & S provided a very nice improvement. I was surprised, but I shouldn’t have been knowing Dave worked his magic on it. First of all, the noise floor is lower and provides more detail. The timbre of the instruments is more natural. The glare of violins, trumpets and female vocals is reduced on recordings (I’ll discuss this in an other post)
This is a very good and inexpensive upgrade and I heartily recommend it!!
Nick
Nick,  I just saw this.  Thanks for the nice review.  The one you have is a hand polished version of the 5362A.  The newer Uber Puerto is considerably better in every regard. With the RFI mitigating Intergalactic Flooby Dust added internally the noise floor is much lower than the hand polished. This is really apparent in the mids on up where RFI causes glare and listening fatigue.
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Nick B on October 04, 2019, 02:53:30 PM
Dave, my thanks to you for such innovative products that so reduce the noise floor. Although I very much enjoy my current system, I’ve been thinking of new wires or components to get rid of that glare. I have some seemingly very good recordings of a female vocalist named Nana Mouskouri  that do sometimes have that harshness. When I asked the handyman to install the receptacle and explained why, he didn’t bat an eye. Your Uber Puerto might be cheaper than new components  :roll:
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Folsom on October 04, 2019, 04:33:33 PM
How do you know where the glare is coming from?

I am coming up with some cables that might be able to be demoed before long. What are your cables like now?

That amp might benefit from a small mod at the speaker output.
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Nick B on October 04, 2019, 05:15:57 PM
How do you know where the glare is coming from?

I am coming up with some cables that might be able to be demoed before long. What are your cables like now?

That amp might benefit from a small mod at the speaker output.

Seems like your post might be directed at me. Pls advise.
Thanks,
Nick
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Folsom on October 04, 2019, 05:37:30 PM
How do you know where the glare is coming from?

I am coming up with some cables that might be able to be demoed before long. What are your cables like now?

That amp might benefit from a small mod at the speaker output.

Seems like your post might be directed at me. Pls advise.
Thanks,
Nick

Yes
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Nick B on October 04, 2019, 07:04:04 PM
How do you know where the glare is coming from?

I am coming up with some cables that might be able to be demoed before long. What are your cables like now?

That amp might benefit from a small mod at the speaker output.

Seems like your post might be directed at me. Pls advise.
Thanks,
Nick

Yes

I don’t know where it might be coming from and I wouldn’t really relish the extended listening that it might entail in auditioning different wires or components. But of course, the improvement would be worth it. All my cables and power cords are from Gary A...aka gander....on this site. I haven’t seen a post from him in a long time and we don’t keep in touch. All of his wires are unshielded and copper. The rca digital cable and the ic’s are very thin...40 gauge I believe. A couple of his power cords are 8 or 10 gauge. I probably have 5 of his power cords and a couple of them are very stiff and difficult to put in place. I will say that putting his heavy gauge power cord on my previous amp, the modded McCormack DNA 1, yielded a  significant improvement over the Black Sand Audio Reference 5?.... I bought my amp from Tom S and I believe he and our former leader Richidoo basically had the same version of that amp. Rich really liked it and Tom felt it was very good at that price point. The binding posts might be Furutechs.
I’d be curious about the mod you mentioned and your cables as well.
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Folsom on October 04, 2019, 07:17:53 PM
Well maybe make another topic on the subject of looking at some changes?

I'm sure adding Dave's socket would be a good change.
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: P.I. on October 05, 2019, 01:03:38 PM
Dave, my thanks to you for such innovative products that so reduce the noise floor.
When I asked the handyman to install the receptacle and explained why, he didn’t bat an eye. Your Uber Puerto might be cheaper than new components  :roll:
You have a handyman a cut above most  :thumb:  Normally one would look at you like you were crazy!

Check your PM.
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Nick B on October 05, 2019, 01:38:01 PM
Dave, my thanks to you for such innovative products that so reduce the noise floor.
When I asked the handyman to install the receptacle and explained why, he didn’t bat an eye. Your Uber Puerto might be cheaper than new components  :roll:
You have a handyman a cut above most  :thumb:  Normally one would look at you like you were crazy!

Check your PM.

Hi Dave, Got your PM.
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: S Clark on October 05, 2019, 03:00:37 PM
I haven't chimed in because everything important has been said.  Dave sent me a pair of receptacles years back to A/B against each other (one cyroed the other w/o) and made me a believer.  Good receptacles are important, and Dave's are some of the best.  They were good 7-8 years ago and they keep getting better.  If you haven't upgraded from contractor quality, you have a LARGE impact awaiting.  If you have stepped up once, there's more to be heard.  It's also interesting how the different receptacles have different flavors.  About 4-5 years back, Big Red Machine (at another site) built a box to A/B 5 upscale receptacles.  They all sounded different-  even my wife had a favorite.     :thumb:
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Nick B on October 05, 2019, 04:08:13 PM
I haven't chimed in because everything important has been said.  Dave sent me a pair of receptacles years back to A/B against each other (one cyroed the other w/o) and made me a believer.  Good receptacles are important, and Dave's are some of the best.  They were good 7-8 years ago and they keep getting better.  If you haven't upgraded from contractor quality, you have a LARGE impact awaiting.  If you have stepped up once, there's more to be heard.  It's also interesting how the different receptacles have different flavors.  About 4-5 years back, Big Red Machine (at another site) built a box to A/B 5 upscale receptacles.  They all sounded different-  even my wife had a favorite.     :thumb:

It really is amazing that wires and receptacles can make such a difference. I will be trying Dave’s Uber Puerto. It’s a great place to start, rather than trying wires and auditioning different components. I’m so happy to have the Uber as well.
I’ve been in this hobby since the late 80s and my system has come a long way. I recall having VAC 90 amps and unshielded silver ic’s and speaker cables. I got the cables from a very nice guy in So California who gave me a very nice discount. The problem was harshness and sibilance. Even when the wires were shielded, it really didn’t make a difference. Iirc, the mono amps produced some EMF.
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: mresseguie on October 06, 2019, 01:44:27 PM
What's amazing to me is that it took until last night for me to read this thread.  :duh Until yesterday, I thought I had two upscale receptacles somewhere in storage, but I've searched high and low (and in between!), but cannot locate them. Too much moving and boxing stuff up over the past three-plus years means some gear gets lost in the shuffle.

Anyway, I'd like to buy three of your "RFI mitigating Intergalactic Flooby Dust" filled receptacles, Dave. Two will stay in Oregon; one will fly to Taiwan. Hopefully, it'll fit the cutout in my flat in Taiwan.

I will follow this up with an email to you.

Michael
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: P.I. on October 11, 2019, 02:11:19 PM
I'm going to try this post again:   :roll:

Michael, Nick:  Your receptacles are on their way to you.

Give them time to break-in... takes about 3 days to a week in most instances.  I'll be very interested in seeing what you two hear.  I won't make any observations.  It is best not to pee in the thought pool.

Enjoy!
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Nick B on October 11, 2019, 04:01:28 PM
I'm going to try this post again:   :roll:

Michael, Nick:  Your receptacles are on their way to you.

Give them time to break-in... takes about 3 days to a week in most instances.  I'll be very interested in seeing what you two hear.  I won't make any observations.  It is best not to pee in the thought pool.

Enjoy!

Thanks, Dave!
Nick
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: mresseguie on October 12, 2019, 01:49:05 PM
Cool beans!

If ya gotta pollute da pool, pee is much better than poo.  :lol:
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: P.I. on October 13, 2019, 12:05:36 PM
Cool beans!

If ya gotta pollute da pool, pee is much better than poo.  :lol:
:rofl:
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Nick B on December 12, 2019, 11:27:48 PM
I finally got the Uber Puerto ...the one with the magic flooby dust...installed today. This is the outlet that feeds the Uber that everything is plugged into. I could tell two things immediately:
1) it resolves better (to paraphrase Lady Macbeth ... out, damned noise!, out I say!)
2) the tonality on instruments is enhanced

Now the especially fun part is this was on an old album with mediocre recording quality.
I therefore listened to more old albums and continued to enjoy the newly revealed and nicely enhanced presentation. I’m thrilled, but not surprised, as many of you know how wonderful Dave’s products are. I’ll keep enjoying the breakin process.

I would like to have those latest receptacles added to my Uber. Also, as to the issue of polished electrical connectors, are there power cords that have the male end polished/treated as well as the iec parts? I haven’t researched this at all.
Nick
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: dBe on December 22, 2019, 06:34:58 PM
I finally got the Uber Puerto ...the one with the magic flooby dust...installed today. This is the outlet that feeds the Uber that everything is plugged into. I could tell two things immediately:
1) it resolves better (to paraphrase Lady Macbeth ... out, damned noise!, out I say!)
2) the tonality on instruments is enhanced

Now the especially fun part is this was on an old album with mediocre recording quality.
I therefore listened to more old albums and continued to enjoy the newly revealed and nicely enhanced presentation. I’m thrilled, but not surprised, as many of you know how wonderful Dave’s products are. I’ll keep enjoying the breakin process.

I would like to have those latest receptacles added to my Uber. Also, as to the issue of polished electrical connectors, are there power cords that have the male end polished/treated as well as the iec parts? I haven’t researched this at all.
Nick
Hi, Nick.  Been out of the loop since we left for our loooong Christmas holiday with the Clan.

Adding them to the Uber is really simple.  I can get some out to you when we return early January, or you can send the Uber to me for the install.  Whatever works for you.

Most aftermarket power cables have highly polished, plated contacts.  I polish the blades and receivers on Wattgates when I use them.  Polishing does go quite a way to get to low noise as a goal.  Polishing pins on tubes is a good thing, too.  Polishing tube pins is easiest with really fine sandpaper grits using a fixture to hold the tube.
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Nick B on December 22, 2019, 11:39:11 PM
I finally got the Uber Puerto ...the one with the magic flooby dust...installed today. This is the outlet that feeds the Uber that everything is plugged into. I could tell two things immediately:
1) it resolves better (to paraphrase Lady Macbeth ... out, damned noise!, out I say!)
2) the tonality on instruments is enhanced

Now the especially fun part is this was on an old album with mediocre recording quality.
I therefore listened to more old albums and continued to enjoy the newly revealed and nicely enhanced presentation. I’m thrilled, but not surprised, as many of you know how wonderful Dave’s products are. I’ll keep enjoying the breakin process.

I would like to have those latest receptacles added to my Uber. Also, as to the issue of polished electrical connectors, are there power cords that have the male end polished/treated as well as the iec parts? I haven’t researched this at all.
Nick
Hi, Nick.  Been out of the loop since we left for our loooong Christmas holiday with the Clan.

Adding them to the Uber is really simple.  I can get some out to you when we return early January, or you can send the Uber to me for the install.  Whatever works for you.

Most aftermarket power cables have highly polished, plated contacts.  I polish the blades and receivers on Wattgates when I use them.  Polishing does go quite a way to get to low noise as a goal.  Polishing pins on tubes is a good thing, too.  Polishing tube pins is easiest with really fine sandpaper grits using a fixture to hold the tube.

Hi Dave,
I was going to email you earlier tonight about this very subject. But I was having too much fun listening 🎶🎶 Heck, if it’s that easy, I’ll just install them. I’ll send you a reminder email in the new year. I don’t really know why tonight’s listening was extra special, but I’ll take it!
Hope Hawaii was a great time. Assume you might be in Oregon by now. I’m heading to So Cal in the morning. Christmas greeting and blessings
Nick
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: dBe on December 24, 2019, 06:41:47 PM
Having time with the Clan is wonderful!

We are all back in Portland and the mirth and frivolity prevails!!!  Our family is centered in humor and it Is our grandchildren that are all in the same place in the life book humor page!  I can’t remember a time when we have all laughed as a family as this trip.  It is the grandchildren that lead to way in humor!  Damn, to be 20-ish again... but only if my lovely wife Gayle could make that same trip!  Oh, wait: she’s here with me now!   :thumb:
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Guy 13 on December 24, 2019, 06:56:40 PM
Having time with the Clan is wonderful!

We are all back in Portland and the mirth and frivolity prevails!!!  Our family is centered in humor and it Is our grandchildren that are all in the same place in the life book humor page!  I can’t remember a time when we have all laughed as a family as this trip.  It is the grandchildren that lead to way in humor!  Damn, to be 20-ish again... but only if my lovely wife Gayle could make that same trip!  Oh, wait: she’s here with me now!   :thumb:


 :thumb: :lol:
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: dflee on December 24, 2019, 08:28:03 PM
Dave:
You are the best.
Only thing that can beat you would be a family of yous.
Merry Christmas to you and all those around you for you
and Gayle are the core of all that greatness you have around you.
Enjoy dear friend.

Will be talkin with you after the season about a better receptacle than whit I got.
The cord is the best Iv'e ever had.

Don
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: dBe on December 25, 2019, 08:50:52 PM
Dave:
You are the best.
Only thing that can beat you would be a family of yous.
Merry Christmas to you and all those around you for you
and Gayle are the core of all that greatness you have around you.
Enjoy dear friend.

Will be talkin with you after the season about a better receptacle than whit I got.
The cord is the best Iv'e ever had.

Don
Wow!  Thanks, Nit.  Very nice words from a good friend.


When we get back home to Albuquerque I’ll hook you up.  I am Extremely pleased with just how good the UberPuerto is.  Like Emeril says: “Somtimes I even amaze myself!”

 :thumb:
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: dBe on January 20, 2020, 11:50:41 AM
I installed one of the UberPuertos in the wall that supplies the office computer, printers, etc.  Even though the listening room and office are 40' apart in our home the additional RFI mitigitation is noticeable in musical reproduction.  Not a big difference, but worthwhile.  Well recorded music sounds just a little more relaxed in presentation, but not restrained in dynamics.
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Nick B on January 21, 2020, 07:32:23 PM
This afternoon, I installed the new Uber Puertos in my UberBUSS. As Dave had said, it wasn’t complicated, but it took me a fair amount of time to do it. Lots of wires in a relatively small space....
Played a few new tunes, then one of my reference songs.... Come Away With Me by Norah Jones. A couple of things were immediately noticeable:
1) the noise floor was further reduced, which allowed me to hear much more of the decay on the cymbals and bass guitar
2) the sound was more natural, more organic
For lack of a better description, the music hung in the air more. It wasn’t nearly as truncated. It’s beautiful and more captivating.
I’m so glad I spent the money. This allows the components to perform at a very high level. The next step is to try some new power cords. All the cabling I currently have is unshielded, so I’ll be curious if there’ll be an improvement.
If you’re on the fence as to trying these Uber Puertos, you have nothing to gain but much improved sound!
I’m as pleased with these as I was getting the Fritz Carreras  :thumb: :thumb:

Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: dBe on January 21, 2020, 11:13:07 PM
This afternoon, I installed the new Uber Puertos in my UberBUSS. As Dave had said, it wasn’t complicated, but it took me a fair amount of time to do it. Lots of wires in a relatively small space....
Played a few new tunes, then one of my reference songs.... Come Away With Me by Norah Jones. A couple of things were immediately noticeable:
1) the noise floor was further reduced, which allowed me to hear much more of the decay on the cymbals and bass guitar
2) the sound was more natural, more organic
For lack of a better description, the music hung in the air more. It wasn’t nearly as truncated. It’s beautiful and more captivating.
I’m so glad I spent the money. This allows the components to perform at a very high level. The next step is to try some new power cords. All the cabling I currently have is unshielded, so I’ll be curious if there’ll be an improvement.
If you’re on the fence as to trying these Uber Peurtos, you have nothing to gain but much improved sound!
I’m as pleased with these as I was getting the Fritz Carreras  :thumb: :thumb:
Nick,  great to see this.

I have to admit that I am amazed at the potential that lives I. Much of what we use day to day.  Granted, the 5362A is not a widely available receptacle.  It IS a tremendous value over the runof the mill receptacle that is in our homes.

Let me back up.  To even think that a receptacle replacement can make an unexpected and positive SQ change kind of boggles me olde mind.  Bottom line is that receptacles sound different.  Some just sound better than others.  Take the Furutech NCF.  It is astonishing in performance: quiet, detailed, clean and pristine = $280.00.

Okay...

The P&S5362A always sounded great to me... the best out of the 20 or so receptacles that I tried for use as the standard BUSS choice. 

I got to wondering if what I had learned about noise reduction would extend to a receptacle.  The UberPuerto is the culmination of over a year’s worth of development.

Damn.  They sound REALLY good!

Thanks again, Nick.   :thumb:
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Nick B on January 22, 2020, 09:38:23 AM
This afternoon, I installed the new Uber Puertos in my UberBUSS. As Dave had said, it wasn’t complicated, but it took me a fair amount of time to do it. Lots of wires in a relatively small space....
Played a few new tunes, then one of my reference songs.... Come Away With Me by Norah Jones. A couple of things were immediately noticeable:
1) the noise floor was further reduced, which allowed me to hear much more of the decay on the cymbals and bass guitar
2) the sound was more natural, more organic
For lack of a better description, the music hung in the air more. It wasn’t nearly as truncated. It’s beautiful and more captivating.
I’m so glad I spent the money. This allows the components to perform at a very high level. The next step is to try some new power cords. All the cabling I currently have is unshielded, so I’ll be curious if there’ll be an improvement.
If you’re on the fence as to trying these Uber Peurtos, you have nothing to gain but much improved sound!
I’m as pleased with these as I was getting the Fritz Carreras  :thumb: :thumb:
Nick,  great to see this.

I have to admit that I am amazed at the potential that lives I. Much of what we use day to day.  Granted, the 5362A is not a widely available receptacle.  It IS a tremendous value over the runof the mill receptacle that is in our homes.

Let me back up.  To even think that a receptacle replacement can make an unexpected and positive SQ change kind of boggles me olde mind.  Bottom line is that receptacles sound different.  Some just sound better than others.  Take the Furutech NCF.  It is astonishing in performance: quiet, detailed, clean and pristine = $280.00.

Okay...

The P&S5362A always sounded great to me... the best out of the 20 or so receptacles that I tried for use as the standard BUSS choice. 

I got to wondering if what I had learned about noise reduction would extend to a receptacle.  The UberPuerto is the culmination of over a year’s worth of development.

Damn.  They sound REALLY good!

Thanks again, Nick.   :thumb:

Dave,
I’m amazed at how good they sound new. Will be putting on more hours over the next few days. Was curious about device noise last night and was looking for my EMF detector, but I can’t find it...oh well
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: rollo on January 22, 2020, 11:43:28 AM
   First off sounds really good then the Werewolfs take over for 250+ hours. Then  :drool: then dinner.  :rofl: :rofl:


charles
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Nick B on January 22, 2020, 01:03:29 PM
   First off sounds really good then the Werewolfs take over for 250+ hours. Then  :drool: then dinner.  :rofl: :rofl:


charles

I’ll be patient....  My old Antelope dac took a very long time to break in 😪
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: Nick B on February 04, 2020, 09:15:47 PM
I don’t know if any of you Uber guys are upgrading to these new Puertos, but if you are, try and put as many hours on them as quick as possible, They keep getting better... I’m using the Live Radio feature on Roon and have a UK station on first thing in the morning, then do serious listening at night. Thanks, Charles
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: dBe on February 04, 2020, 10:04:56 PM
Dave,
I’m amazed at how good they sound new. Will be putting on more hours over the next few days. Was curious about device noise last night and was looking for my EMF detector, but I can’t find it...oh well
I’m pleased that you like them.

When I listened to every commercial receptacle that I could to replace the P&S 5362 Spec Grades that were in the first iteration of the Uber I was amazed at just how “right” the 5362A sounded when compared to the Hubbell, Cooper and other hospital (MRI) grade receptacles.  There was an undeniable improvement in the very low and very high frequencies.  Taughter, but deeper and cleaner in the highs. My benchmarks are female vocals, brass, cymbal harmonic series and a good old Fender P-Bass.  Another is the release of notes and reverb tails (room sounds).  Again, the 5362A had a rightness to all of these.

I had heard the difference between unpolished and polished connectors when I started polishing the blades on Wattgate plugs for my power cables.  Polishing lowers the noise floor which is apparent in higher frequencies.  That is when I started offering polished 5362As as an option.  That was a good start.

I use a material in the RFI ‘Brick’ absorber in the Uber and started experimenting with compounding that with a viscoelastic material to damp vibrations and mass load the receptacle.  This took a year to finalize with well over a dozen different prototypes before I was happy.

Graphene was the frosting on the cake.

I AM happy.  Even so, I’m trying new mods... TBC >>>>>>>>>>>>

One thing needs to be known.  I have been asked about the fact that I remove the steel pins from the back of the receptacle.  These serve to locate the brass frame on the receptacle.  They do not really hold the receptacle together.  They are used to insure that during the automated ear folding process the pieces stay in place.  It is the folded ears that provide mechanical integrity.  They sound better without the pins due to the elimination of ferrous eddy currents. 

I have retired the Furutech GTX NCFs in my own system.

Enjoy  :thumb:
Title: Re: P.I. audio group Modified P&S 5362A receptacle journey...
Post by: mikeeastman on February 19, 2020, 06:51:19 AM
I’m redoing the A/C feeds to my system and decided to try the UberPuerto , I had Daves’ older receptacles and they were a step up over what I had been using.

With the resent up grades to my system it is now incredibly detailed and clean. Any change is very noticeable , good or bad. With the UberPuerto there is even more of that micro detail and even add a little more real sound to my system, which at this point sounds so real and clean that I’m at a lost to find words to describe it, the instruments and the singers sound like there in the room.

Keep up the great work Dave.